With the Coronavirus pandemic not going anywhere anytime soon, more people than ever are working from home and are likely to do so for some more time now. Whether that is doing their entire job from the comfort of their home or doing things that would normally be done onsite, such as dental training courses, being done at home, there is more need than ever for a home office.
Thankfully, it is easier than ever to create a simple yet functional home office without spending a small fortune.
Today, I’m going to share with you some tips to help you create a simple yet functional home office space that you want to work in.
Related Post – How to Create a Home Office that Works for You
The Desk
The most important element of your home office is your desk. Without a desk or worktable of some sort, you don’t really have a home office.
Of course, you can go and pick up a desk from a store, or you can improvise – a plank of wood from a hardware store stained or painted to match your decor and propped up over a couple of filing cabinets might be enough – or a coffee table from a thrift store and some cushions on the floor.
You could even look at standing desks – they are all the rage now and potentially have some added health benefits too.
Shelving
If space is at a premium – as it so often is within a home office – think about going up.
Make the most of the wall space by using shelving. You can buy shelving units or use floating shelves. Store your home office essentials in cute baskets or bins and dot a few plants in between to bring a bit of the outdoors in.
Use Old Items for Storage
Storage is essential for a home office, but it can also be one of the most expensive elements of the space.
Improvise and recycle old mugs and tins. That favorite mug whose handle fell off? That can make a superb pen holder. That old tin can be wrapped in coordinating wallpaper or gift wrap and turned into a paperclip pot. Instead of splurging on magazine files, cut cereal boxes and cover those to hold papers and notebooks.
You can even reuse old candles as pen holders. A bit of creativity goes a long way.
Lighting
A key aspect of a functional home office is good lighting. Without good lighting, you are much more likely to make mistakes and end up with headaches and eye strain.
The best sort of light is natural light – big windows letting in maximum light is the best way to light your room. Alternatively, look at lightbulbs that mimic natural light. These can also give you some protection against Seasonal Affective Disorder which can be prevelant in the winter months.
Artwork
If you are going to be spending a lot of time in your home office, you are going to want to make sure that it is a pleasant space to be in, and a great way to do this is with the use of artwork. Choose something that means something to you. Just make sure it is appropriate if you are taking part in Zoom calls with colleagues or clients!
If you’ve got a small budget, consider framed printed posters instead to add some personality to your walls.
So there you have it! Some quick and simple ways to create a simple yet functional home office!
